Maine bill would legalize sports pools in bars

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Those sports pools that patrons play in Maine bars are illegal. A bill before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee could change that.
Rep. Sharri MacDonald's bill would authorize the state police to issue licenses to places that sell alcoholic beverages so they could operate football score pools. The licenses would cost $50.
MacDonald told the committee Wednesday that she would welcome an amendment to broaden the bill to include any kind of pool. The Old Orchard beach Republican says some restaurants are looking for ways to bring people to their businesses, and her bill could help. She says the bill could also generate more than $110,000 for the state.
The Maine Restaurant Association supports the bill. No one spoke against MacDonald's proposal during Wednesday's public hearing.

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